Madonnina Gullo

Fredonia resident, Madonnina Gullo, has been named a national scholarship winner by the National Organization of Italian American Women at their annual luncheon at the St. Regis in New York City.

She is a 2021 graduate of Fredonia High School and is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Musical Theatre at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.. She is a member of the University Honors Program and is a Teagle Scholar.

Gullo is also Resident Assistant at Catholic University and was named Residence Life “New Resident Assistant of the Year.” She is active in a number of performance groups on campus, and most recently appeared in the MainStage musical, “Anything Goes.”

The National Organization of Italian American Women was founded in 1980 by Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey, and a group of Italian American women who sought to create a national network to support the educational and professional aspirations of its members and to combat ethnic stereotypes by promoting positive role models. Its members and board members have included former member of the House of Representatives and Vice Presidential candidate, the late Geraldine Ferraro, and former New York State First Lady, Matilda Cuomo.

The NOIAW luncheon featured opening remarks via tape by First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden. News Anchor, Mary Calvi, was presented as Distinguished Woman of the Year. Cristina Carabetta, Esq., Chair of the National Italian American Bar Association and Joseph Sciame, Vice President of St. John’s University and President of the Sons of Italy Foundation were also honored.